EACH OF THESE girls received a trophy for earning one of the special camp awards. Kneeling, from left to right, are 8 to 12 age group winners Christina Ramirez (Coach’s Award), Ariana Garzon (Coach’s Award), Prescilla Presti (MVP), Makaylah Mutz (MIP) and Kirsten Jacobsen (MVP). Standing, from left to right, are 13 to 15 age group winners Samantha Santiago (MVP), Cindy Szeflinski (MIP), Allyson Bowers (MIP) and Jen Comfort (Coach’s Award).

Local Girls Improve Their Basketball Skills and Have Fun at Annual Camp

By Rob PotterLOCH SHELDRAKE  July 27, 2007  A total of 28 girls from around Sullivan County learned more about the game of basketball last week.
Those girls, ages 8 to 15, improved their hoops skills at the annual Sullivan Generals basketball camp, which was held Monday, July 16 through Friday, July 20 in the Paul Gerry Fieldhouse on the Sullivan County Community College campus in Loch Sheldrake.
Guided by Camp Director Paul Clune and Assistant Coaches Carl Graham, Kevin Mutz and Corey Ramos, the girls participated in dribbling, passing and shooting drills. The campers also competed in games, from 1-on-1 contests to 5-on-5 contests.
On Friday afternoon, parents, siblings and other family members attended the camp’s awards ceremony.
“We had a very good week,” Clune said as the awards ceremony began. “This is a great group of players.”
This was the third summer in which Clune, who is the Head Coach of the SCCC Lady Generals basketball team, served as the camp director.
“The talent level of the players is always very good,” he said. “A lot of these girls play for their high school’s junior varsity team.
“Five of the 11 girls in the older group are returning from last summer’s camp,” Clune continued. “We’re happy to see those players come back, it means they had a great experience last year.”
Each of the campers received a Sullivan Generals basketball T-shirt and participation certificate.
In addition, many of the campers received special trophies and awards. Coaches Awards, Most Improved Player Awards and Most Valuable Player Awards were presented to girls in the younger age group (8 to 12) and older age group (13 to 15).
The award recipients in the 8 to 12 age group were: Coach’s Award  Ariana Garzon; Coach’s Award  Christina Ramirez; Most Improved Player  Makaylah Mutz; Most Valuable Player  Kirsten Jacobsen; Most Valuable Player  Prescilla Presti
The award recipients in the 13 to 15 age group were: Coach’s Award  Jen Comfort; Most Improved Player  Allyson Bowers; Most Improved Player  Cindy Szeflinski; Most Valuable Player  Samantha Santiago
The winners of the special contests were as follows:
1-on-1 champion: Prescilla Presti
2-on-2 champions: Madison Breslin, Christina Ramirez
3-on-3 champions: Brianna Bowdren, Lena Episalla, Makaylah Mutz
4-on-4 champions: Brianna Bowdren, Kamry Conboy, Ariana Garzon, Makaylah Mutz and Nicolette Perrelli
Miss Hustle award: Brianna Bowdren, Ariana Garzon
Dribble Obstacle Course champion: Kirsten Jacobsen
H-O-R-S-E champion: Prescilla Presti
Free Throw shooting: contest champion  Allyson Bowers, Nicole Ramirez; week champion  Prescilla Presti, Kacie Douglass
3-point shooting champion: Christina Ramirez
Around the World champion: Prescilla Presti
Hot Shot champion: Christina Ramirez
Camp Knockout champion: Samantha Santiago
Musical Chairs champion: Erin Clune, Prescilla Presti
The camp participants included: Olivia Baum, Victoria Baum, Danielle Baumgardner, Alyssa Bellina, Brianna Bowdren, Allyson Bowers, Madison Breslin, Erin Clune, Jen Comfort, Kamry Conboy, Kacie Douglass, Lena Episalla, Nicole Episalla, Ariana Garzon, Kirsten Jacobsen, Ella Kleinberger, Tori Kleinberger, Makaylah Mutz, Nicolette Perrelli, Diana Presti, Prescilla Presti, Christina Ramirez, Nicole Ramirez, Samantha Santiago, Shaina Swerdling, Cindy Szeflinski, Kimberly Verderame and Kimberly Yewchuck.